Chapter 44 "Elio: come with me"

Damiano looked at his son looking at him with hesitation visible in his eyes and cursed himself once more for being negligent and ignoring his duties of being a father..

Without saying anything Damiano opened his arms and wrapped them around his son.. he wanted to let him know that he loved him through this hug..

Noah was surprised with his father' sudden actions… only after a few seconds passed that he hugged him back and wrapped his small arms around his father.. he buried his head in his shoulder.. he felt like his tears were about to fall and they really did..

Damiano felt his shirt getting wet and his heart ached for his son knowing that he was longing for his affections.. he was his son after all.. he finally made up his mind to shower him with love in the future.. 'I'd never make you feel lonely… I'll fulfil my duties as your father… my son..'

Damiano felt his throat getting dry and he said in a hoarse voice "Noah.. forgive your father for making you feel lonely.. forgive me for being ignorant and not telling you enough that I love you.. I promise you that I'll make sure to show my love and care for you.. I don't want my only son to feel neglected and resent his own father.. I'm sorry for making you go through all that for all these years.."

Noah heard what his father said and felt his heart tightening… he shook his head and said in between his cries "Dad.. I don't blame you for anything… hic.. I know what you did was all for my own good.. hic.. and I always wanted to tell you that I love you too dad.. I… hic… but whenever I look at the kids with their father going to play and being carried on their backs… hic… I feel envious and feel that they are so lucky they have their father… I always felt that you didn't love me… and resented you in my heart.."

Noah paused and removed his arms to break the hug… he looked at his father who was also crying as tears streamed down his eyes.. he reached out his hand and wiped his tears before continuing "But I know… that what you did was all for me… now I understand as I am not a kid anymore.. I'm sorry for feeling like that and resenting you… I'm not a good son.."

Damiano saw his son blaming himself and apologising to him… he shook his head hastily and said "Don't ever say sorry for feeling like that… it was my fault for making you feel lonely and envious of other kids.. I was so engrossed in taking care of the business and other matters that I neglected you.. but now that I'm here, I'll make up for the past.. thank you for being patient with your foolish father.."

Damiano wiped Noah' tears and picked him up to make him sit in his lap… Noah was surprised and embarrassed by the actions of his father as his face turned red as a tomato… he quickly tried to resist and said "Dad.. I'm not a kid anymore.. let go.. I'll go back to my seat.."

Damiano saw the expression of his son and realized that he was feeling shy but ignored it "Didn't you say just now that you feel envious of other kids being carried by their father.. I'll do all that for you from now on.. be ready my sweet little son.."

Grandfather Einar and Da-eun saw this and let out a laugh at the rare sight of Noah being awkward and shy… Grandfather Einar had a soft smile of in face as he looked at the pair of father and son… he was relieved after seeing that they had finally made up… he was right about using this chance to make his son improve his relationship with his grandson..

He knew that the kid acted all tough and mature but deep inside he was an ordinary kid who longed for his family and his father to love him… he never showed it openly on his face or spoke about it… but he knew that the seven year old small child wanted someone to love him the way every parent loved their kids..

Noah saw that his resistance was futile and realized that he had asked for this himself, he finally stopped resisting.. he saw Elio bringing breakfast for his father and asked him to bring him his plate too..

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Elio placed their plates down and looked up… he saw Rick standing there looking at him with his scorching gaze.. he wanted to ask him what he was thinking? But Rick averted his gaze to look at the other side..

On the other hand Rick was feeling like he had been caught in an act that made him feel like he had committed a crime by looking at Elio like that.. He thought back to his actions a few moments before.. he was just looking at him just like he always did… he felt that Elio was looking especially handsome and forgot to restrain his feeling and let them show on his face..

When he saw that Elio suddenly looking into his eyes with his eyebrows furrowed… he was almost sure that Elio would ask him later about why he was looking at him like that? Rick felt panic rising in his heart and thought in his heart 'What am I gonna do now? Elio must be thinking that I'm some weirdo who's staring at another man… what if he feels disgusted with me? What'd I do then? But, given how airheaded Elio' in these matters, he can never figure it out if I don't say anything myself.. huh..'

Rick felt like mocking himself.. he was thinking too much and expecting way too much from an airhead like Elio.. he turned to look at Elio again and smiled at him bitterly… Elio saw Rick smiling and smiled back before saying "Come with me.."

Elio walked up to him and held his had to drag Rick with him to the kitchen.. Rick looked down and saw a fair hand holding his hand tightly.. the hold on his hand felt hot.. it made his heart tingle with butterflies.. a smile blossomed on his lips as he let Elio drag him wherever he wanted to take him..

Elio only stopped after they entered the kitchen and made it all the way to the counter.. He then let go of Rick's hand and started preparing one more plate of breakfast..

Rick felt empty when Elio removed his hold on his hand.. he wanted to hold his hand too.. but he knew that this was not the right time and finally calmed down.. he stood there looking at Elio busying himself..

Soon after that Elio placed a plate in front of Rick and said "Here.. eat this.. you must be hungry after waking up early and escorting Master back home.."

Rick saw Elio smiling at him and waiting for him to eat with anticipation.. he finally nodded and buried his head down to eat the food.. he felt happy..